Strong demand for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia is already driving up hotel prices for the later stages of the tournament, with operators increasing their flight, accommodation and match-ticket allocations to meet growing interest.
With less than a year to go, operators are urging agents to secure arrangements for clients as demand puts pressure on availability, particularly around Springbok fixtures and the knockout stages.
“We are seeing tremendous interest in the quarter finals to the finals stages. As a result, we have already had to increase our flight, hotel and match ticket allocations. We have also seen increased pricing for hotels in our later rounds of contracting,” said Nicky Bell, CEO of Edusport.
Illana Pereira, Managing Executive of SA Rugby Travel, added that competitively priced options were likely to become harder to secure as demand increased.
“Some hotels may introduce minimum stays. Exchange-rate movements will also influence the cost for South African travellers,” she said.
Bell warned that demand would push prices up further and restrict available options, advising regular leisure and business travellers to avoid visiting Australia during the tournament where possible.
Springbok fixtures add complexity
The Springboks will face Italy in Adelaide on October 3, Georgia in Brisbane on October 10 and Romania in Perth on October 17, before potentially progressing to knockout matches.
“Australia is a big country, so following the team requires careful coordination of flights, accommodation and domestic connections. Now is the time to decide which stage you want to attend, secure your experience and be ready to book flights when airline schedules open,” said Pereira.
Bell said early planning would give travellers a wider choice of accommodation and match-ticket categories, as well as more flight options.
“While the Rugby World Cup is a year away, this is not really a lot of time and there should be a sense of urgency due to the demand in the Springbok matches. South Africans must also apply for visas, which will be busier than usual.”
Gary Mahlangu, Global Business Development Manager at Rennies BCD Sports, said interest in the tournament had also been boosted by the Greatest Rivalry series between South Africa and New Zealand.
“Bookings for the Rugby World Cup are coming in at a moderate pace but there are a lot of enquiries. With only three companies to purchase from, this gives you the indication that stock is limited,” he said.
Edusport Travel & Tours, Rennies BCD and SA Rugby Travel are the three operators in South Africa authorised to sell ticket-inclusive travel packages for the tournament.
Managing client expectations
Pereira added that agents would need to manage clients' expectations around costs.
“Australia is an expensive destination, and clients need a realistic budget covering flights, accommodation, meals and transport. Fares and availability can change until bookings are confirmed.”
She said it was important that supporters also understood how the Springboks’ progression could affect their plans. “We all want them in the final, but that cannot be guaranteed.”
Mahlangu identified flights, accommodation, visas, domestic travel and spending money as the five key considerations for agents arranging packages.
He said the tournament also presented opportunities for agents to build extended itineraries around the matches.
“This is not something that you do over a weekend. You’ve got a captive audience so agents can build something impressive and I think the Rugby World Cup allows the opportunity to build an engaging itinerary over and above just the tournament itself.”
For travellers not attending the tournament, Pereira recommended checking the match calendar before finalising travel plans.
“Adjusting travel dates or exploring destinations beyond the host cities could offer regular travellers greater flexibility and better value.”